One of the best things about dining here is that you can keep it well under $15 per person for a full meal, including desserts. We started with the usual – Beef rice paper rolls ($4) with the crystal rice paper wrapper concealing a filling of thin slices of beef, rice noodle, mixed vegetable and sprigs of mint. They were refreshing and a real palate cleanser.

Helming the kitchen is a chef from Hanoi, Grilled Seafood Combination ($6.80) is served with nicely grilled spicy prawn skewers and squid. This dish takes a little longer because they only grill their food when order is placed. I didn’t think much of the spiciness until I tried one. Gosh, it is solid man! The prawns are marinated with chilli and ginger, spicy enough for me to finish my tall cup of drink.

A must try in Pho Hanoi is definitely the Wagyu beef noodle soup ($8.90). Cooked using beef bones, tendon and spices, the light brown broth is non-greasy and packed with a beefy goodness that’s very satisfying. Staying firm to their traditional recipe, they insist on no MSG, no colourants and no preservatives. The best part is the beef. Thin slices of Aussie wagyu beef is lightly cooked and the homemade beef balls made me crave for more. I love the flavours of basil, mint and fish sauce as they add more depth to the dish.

Vietnamese cooking is heavy on herbs and light on the palate and one of the most winning examples is Grilled Pork Chop with Noodles ($5.90). Presented nicely in a square plate is a salad of grilled pork, fried spring roll and soft rice noodles which you can tossed tossed with mint leaves, cucumber and sweet-and-sour sauce. The pork chop has a shiny surface and the meat is tender. Dip the noodles into the sweet and sour sauce, and eat together with a slice of pork chop, it is a complex, happy medley of a dish and I simply can’t get enough of it.

The dishes here are cheap – another reminder of Vietnam. And while the menu is small, it offers almost everything you may want. I won’t mind coming back here for lunch. They are currently having set lunch promotion from Monday to Friday (between 11 am to 3 pm) at $8.80, which comes with an appetizer, a main course and a choice of lemon grass, calamansi or passion fruit drink.

Maureen

Born into a family of enthusiastic foodies, Maureen has always loved all things culinary, especially the local cuisine here in Singapore. With a life-long fascination with the rapidly evolving food scene in Singapore, she started this website in 2007 to explore and celebrate all types of local Singapore dishes and to share her love of travel and food with the world. With 4 years of experience as a journalist and producer, she has a wealth of experience in food writing, photography and styling.